Shaun Wane includes all seven players who didn’t feature in last Saturday’s convincing 60-6 defeat of Samoa.

Head coach Shaun Wane has named his 19-man squad for Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup Group A clash with France at the University of Bolton Stadium.

As expected, Wane includes all seven players from his 24-strong tournament squad who didn’t feature in last Saturday’s convincing 60-6 defeat of Samoa in Newcastle.

In comes Joe Batchelor of St Helens, Wigan Warriors pair John Bateman and Kai Pearce-Paul, and Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Salford Red Devils’ Andy

The Wakefield-born second-rower has been outstanding for Saints this season and fully deserves a place in Wane's squad.

Ackers and Marc Sneyd, and England’s all-time leading try-scorer Ryan Hall of Hull KR.

Saints’ team-mate Jack Welsby retains his position in the squad along with ex-clubmate Luke Thompson.

England top the Group A table on points difference from France, who enjoyed a 34-12 win over Greece in their opening fixture. A limited number of tickets for the game (Kick off 5pm) are available via the Rugby League World Cup website.

England squad

1 Sam Tomkins
3 Kallum Watkins
4 Herbie Farnworth
5 Ryan Hall
6 Jack Welsby
7 George Williams
8 Tom Burgess
9 Michael McIlorum
10 Luke Thompson
11 Elliott Whitehead
12 John Bateman
13 Victor Radley
14 Dom Young
18 Chris Hill
19 Andy Ackers
21 Marc Sneyd
22 Joe Batchelor
23 Mikolaj Oledzki
24 Kai Pearce-Paul

St Helens’ Joe Batchelor named in 19-man England squad for France World Cup clash